Niall had been diagnosed with leukaemia. His best friend, Zayn told him he’d be okay, but Niall didn’t believe him. All the chemotherapy just made him feel weak and sick. He was ready to let go, but Zayn wasn’t ready to let him go.
Niall heard a knocking at his door. He quickly pulled on his hat then answered the knocking. He caught a glimpse of Zayn, smiling at first, but his face dropping when he saw Niall. “You don’t have to put on your hat every time you see me,” said Zayn, but Niall just brushed it off. “Let’s go,” Zayn said, much to Niall’s confusion. “Where?” asked Niall. Zayn didn’t reply, just pushed Niall’s wheelchair out to his car. Half an hour later, they were at the beach, just sitting on the sand talking. “Remember how we used to play football here? I always used to whoop yo butt,” said Niall, making Zayn laugh. “No way,” replied Zayn. “Did too,” said Niall, then turned serious. “Zayn, what would you do if I died tonight?” he asked. “Niall don’t talk like that,” replied Zayn. “Just tell me,” prompted Niall. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what I’d do,” said Zayn. “Well, just promise you’ll forget about me?” Niall asked of Zayn. “No, I couldn’t ever forget my best friend,” Zayn replied. “Please, Zayn? You can’t dwell over something when it’s already happened,” Niall said with an exasperated sigh. “I just don’t think I can,” Zayn told him, small tears forming in his eyes. “Yesterday’s history, tomorrow’s a mystery. Please, promise you’ll get on with your life,” Niall pleaded with him. “Okay,” replied Zayn, through thick tears. “Hey, Niall, I got you something,” he said, pointing to the jetty. There was Harry, Liam, Louis, Eleanor, Perrie, Danielle, Demi, Paul and even Baby Lux. They all had bright lanterns, which they let go, smiling at Niall and Zayn. The lanterns rose and rose until they weren’t visible.
“Hey, I learnt how to play guitar for you,” said Zayn, shifting his body to sit on his knees. “It isn’t as easy as you make it look. If it was, I’d play it at the show tonight,” he continued, strumming Niall’s six-string absent-mindedly. “Come on, Zayn we have to go!” called Liam, sticking his head out of the window. “I’m coming!” replied Zayn, standing up. As he started to walk away, he froze. He wasn’t quite done talking. He turned back around to face the gravestone. “Niall, I miss you so much,” he sobbed, letting his emotions go. “I know you told me to forget about you, but I can’t. You’re my best mate, you’ve always been my best mate, and I just can’t cope living without you,” he finished, laying Niall’s guitar on his grave. “Bye, Bro,” Zayn said, leaving. He couldn’t even call this life. Living without Niall made everything feel useless.
But that night, Zayn didn’t have to be without Niall anymore. Maybe it was because he had a little too much to drink that night, or the guy behind him did, but whatever the reason, Zayn was thankful. When he got hit by that car, he had two seconds to think before he died. The very last thought that ran through his head, was “I’m coming, Niall. We don’t have to be alone anymore”
